Can United Still Certify Pilots and Aircraft?

Over the weekend, numerous reports surfaced about United's ability (or lack thereof) to certify new pilots, aircraft, and launch new routes.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 06:38 PM ET

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Edited By:

Vanni Gibertini

A United 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Over the weekend, numerous reports surfaced about United’s ability (or lack thereof) to certify new pilots, aircraft, and launch routes following heightened scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many of these rumors seemingly stemmed from a letter sent by the local Air Lines Pilots Association (ALPA) council at the airline’s Orlando crew base.

Making its way onto forums and blogs, the letter stated, “We have lost the ability to approve new Line Check Pilots, issue type ratings, and have regulator-imposed restrictions on our ability to operate and grow our airline.”

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At the time, neither ALPA’s national council, United itself, nor the FAA confirmed anything to this degree, with the agency stating only that the carrier would face “increasing oversight.” In a letter to employees late last week, United’s Vice President of Corporate Safety Sasha Johnson shared that the FAA will increase its presence at the airline.

Johnson added that the FAA will pause a “variety of certification activities for a period of time.” These certification slowdowns will vary by workgroup with additional detail coming from the FAA “soon,” she noted.

The letter did not affirm whether United would be unable to certify some pilots or new aircraft. In fact, a new United 737 MAX 8 – registered as N17339 – entered revenue service on Saturday, March 23, according to Flightradar24 tracking data.

ALPA’s Latest Letter

In a course reversal, ALPA’s United Master Executive Council (MEC) – which represents the carrier’s 17,000 pilots – issued a new letter, stating that “The FAA has yet to issue final guidance over the weekend.”

The MEC seemed to acknowledge that some verbiage in the local Orlando council’s early letter was inaccurate. “Some members of the FAA, United, and ALPA published information before verifying its credibility and factual basis,” the MEC said on Monday.

“United will still train, issue type rides, and conduct normal business,” ALPA continued in the letter. The pilots union noted that the airline will undergo an FAA audit called a Certification Holder and Evaluation Program (CHEP) in which the agency embeds inspectors into an air carrier’s daily operations to review “all facets.”

According to the union, these audits aren’t particularly uncommon. United’s last one was in 2018 and the FAA says they are conducted roughly every five years at part 121 air carriers.

In a statement to FLYING Magazine, the FAA noted that “certification activities in process may be allowed to continue, but future projects may be delayed based on findings from oversight. The FAA will also initiate an evaluation of United Airlines under the provisions of the Certificate Holder Evaluation Process.”

Why All the Commotion

All of this follows a string of headline-making incidents involving United aircraft. Over the last several weeks, a United 777-200 lost a wheel on departure, a panel dropped from a 737-800, and a 777-300ER suffered a hydraulic leak on departure from Sydney, just to name a few.

These incidents turned heads in the media, but there’s no evidence to suggest they are linked. United CEO Scott Kirby acknowledged the slew of incidents in a message to customers on Mar. 18.

“Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” Kirby said. After all of this, the FAA has also taken notice with its increased oversight of the Chicago-based airline.

What’s the Impact

Echoing the MEC’s letter, the FAA has yet to determine the next steps, if any, regarding United’s in-house certification abilities. Beyond broad statements of slowdowns and project delays, it is more likely the agency will decide as the audit is conducted.

In what would perhaps be the worst-case scenario, if United were to face restrictions on certification activities, it could severely hamper the airline’s growth plans. Even with Boeing’s ongoing delivery delays, the carrier still expects to take delivery of 88 aircraft in 2024. This summer, United also plans to operate its largest-ever transatlantic schedule.

Lastly comes the issue of certifying pilots. At part 121 air carriers, pilot training is designed in a hierarchy structure. The carrier can appoint check airmen to sign off on type ratings and other certifications similar to an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

The agency simply lacks the resources to preside over the thousands of monthly training events at major airlines, so it relies on an established certification process with the carrier. There are a wide variety of reasons a check airman is used whether it be to grade a new hire, certifying a pilot on certain routes, such as those that cross the Atlantic or Pacific, and many more.

If an airline is unable to add new check airmen, that creates a trickle-down effect throughout the entire pilot training process.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Madagascar Airlines Rejoins IATA, Secures State Support for Two ATR 72-500s

Madagascar Airlines, previously known as Air Madagascar, has announced the restoration of its approval by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Victor Shalton

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 03:42 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Tail of an ATR72 plane of the Malagasy national airline Air Madagascar (Photo: Shutterstock)

Madagascar Airlines, previously known as Air Madagascar, has announced the restoration of its approval by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This approval enables the airline to once again distribute its tickets through travel agencies and tour operators. Thierry de Bailleul, CEO of the airline, made this announcement on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

This development follows Madagascar Airlines’ return to the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) and the IATA Clearing House, as announced by the airline executive on May 10, 2023. The airline had been excluded from these platforms in 2018 and 2016, respectively, due to financial and image challenges.

The BSP, a key component of IATA, serves as an intermediary for ticket transactions between airlines and travel agencies. The absence of this platform has hindered Madagascar Airlines’ visibility and accessibility in the global market. To facilitate its reinstatement, IATA required a $5 million bond in 2022.

Thierry de Bailleul noted, “Now, with our reintegration, flights to destinations like Antananarivo or Nosy Be can be booked through a vast network of BSP-affiliated travel agencies, covering 70 to 90% of the market.”

Moreover, membership in the IATA Clearing House streamlines operations, enabling seamless ticket issuance for flights combining Madagascar Airlines’ services with those of other carriers. This ensures equitable revenue distribution, the CEO notes.

Fleet Expansion

Meanwhile, Madagascar Airlines plans to expand its fleet by acquiring six new ATR 72-500s in the coming months. The airline will initially receive four aircraft, followed by two more in late 2024 or early 2025, according to Midi-Madagascar. These additions will bolster the company’s domestic operations and aircraft maintenance capabilities.

Reports from 24.24 Magazine indicate that two of the ATR 72-500s will be leased from Dublin-based ACIA Aero Leasing, a regional aircraft specialist. This arrangement follows a decree issued by the Malagasy government on March 13, 2024, empowering the Ministry of Economy and Finance to provide a guarantee on behalf of the state. This initiative aligns with Madagascar Airlines’ recovery program spearheaded by Thierry de Bailleul, aiming to strengthen domestic networks and resume regional and international flights by 2030.

The issuance of a sovereign guarantee was a prerequisite for leasing aircraft, with the government agreeing to facilitate World Bank financing for Madagascar Airlines. The World Bank proposed this financing, culminating in an agreement to reimburse the state for expenses incurred in the airline’s recovery efforts.

Notably, this isn’t the first time the state has provided support to Madagascar Airlines. The 2023 Finance Act included a $20 million sovereign guarantee for leasing new aircraft. However, plans to acquire an Embraer 190 E2 and a Dreamliner fell through.

In a statement dated Nov. 7, 2023, Madagascar Airlines revealed substantial losses since its launch in April 2022. High operating expenses for long-haul flights, particularly using wet-leased aircraft, coupled with escalating jet fuel costs, contributed to accumulated losses of approximately USD 50 million and debts of USD 36 million.

The airline emphasized the economic unsustainability of continuing ACMI flights, which incurred losses of around $300,000 per rotation. At the moment, Madagascar Airlines operates six ATR72 aircraft, with only two in service, inherited from its state-owned predecessor Tsaradia, primarily serving domestic routes

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

Breeze Airways Adds New Routes, Debuts First Flights from Dallas/Fort Worth

Starting later this year, the carrier plans to add new routes from Bangor, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lancaster, Lansing, and Pensacola.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:56 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Breeze A220 in Phoenix. (AirlineGeeks - William Derrickson)

Breeze Airways is expanding its network with five new cities. Starting later this year, the carrier plans to add Bangor, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lancaster, Lansing, and Pensacola. This brings its total number of serviced cities to 56 across 29 states.

The new routes include both seasonal and year-round flights connecting Breeze’s existing destinations with the new cities. Bangor will receive new service to Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers beginning in early October. In addition, Dallas/Fort Worth – American’s largest hub – will have a new connection to Provo/Salt Lake City, Utah starting on June 7.

Lancaster, Penn. will see service to Orlando on Thursdays and Sundays starting in October. In the Midwest, the airline is planning service from Lansing, Mich. to Fort Myers and Orlando in early October.

Back in Florida, Pensacola gains service to Tampa. In addition to these new cities, several routes are being added between Florida destinations and cities in the Northeast and Midwest.

“We’re thrilled to announce five more cities to our expanding network as we continue to add great destinations and also connect the dots between Breeze’s existing cities,” said Breeze Airways’ President Tom Doxey in a press release. “With Breeze’s added convenience and affordability, our business model continues to see success in cities across the country.”

New Credit Card and Loyalty Program

The airline also announced the launch of a new long-awaited loyalty program. Named Breezy Rewards, the carrier says it will give members the ability to earn BreezePoints for all Breeze purchases and access other benefits such as no change or cancel fees and so-called “Free Family” seating.

In addition to the loyalty program, Breeze also announced the launch of its first co-branded credit card, the Breeze Easy Visa Signature, issued by Barclays. The card offers benefits like earning BreezePoints for Breeze purchases and complimentary inflight Wi-Fi on Airbus fleet flights. There is an $89 annual fee associated with the card.

Ryan Ewing

United Adds Larger Overhead Bins to Regional Jets

United announced it is in the process of installing new, larger overhead bins on some of its Embraer E175 aircraft operated by SkyWest.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 09:38 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

New larger overhead bins on United Express E175 aircraft (Photo: United)

United announced it is in the process of installing new, larger overhead bins on its Embraer E175 aircraft operated by SkyWest. The Chicago-based carrier says it is the first to add these types of bins on the 76-seat aircraft.

According to United, the larger bins will create an 80% increase in overhead compartment space and allow for an additional 29 carry-on bags per flight. This is expected to significantly reduce the number of passengers who need to gate-check their bags.

The E175s will join over 200 of United’s mainline aircraft with increased overhead bin space. United plans to have 50 E175s outfitted with the bigger bins by the end of 2024, with the possibility of expanding the program to include over 150 aircraft by the end of 2026.

“Customer sentiment for the new overhead bins and signature interiors has been extremely positive. By helping to eliminate the need to gate check bags, we are seeing an increase in gate and boarding satisfaction,” said Linda Jojo, United’s Chief Customer Officer, in a press release. “This is just the latest way we’re working to create an industry-leading experience for all our customers – whether they’re on an international or regional flight.”

The airline says it is still in the process of retrofitting mainline aircraft with larger overhead bins. The new bins on the E175s are expected to provide a more consistent experience for connecting passengers.

Accessibility is also a priority for United. Every E175 with the larger bins will feature braille and tactile placards for improved accessibility, which is part of a broader accessibility initiative launched by the airline in 2023.

SkyWest is the world’s largest Embraer E175 operator. The regional carrier flies up to 700 daily flights per day under the United Express brand.

Ryan Ewing

New Pacific Airlines Halts Scheduled Service

New Pacific Airlines, an Anchorage-based carrier that began operations in 2023, is cutting all of its scheduled flights, moving to charters only.

Jeremy Kang

Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:04 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A New Pacific (formerly Northern Pacific) Boeing 757. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

New Pacific Airlines, an Anchorage-based carrier that began operations in 2023, is cutting all of its scheduled flights. The airline’s inaugural flight was from Ontario, Calif. to Las Vegas before eventually operating to cities including Reno and Nashville. At its peak, the carrier only operated four scheduled routes.

The carrier ended scheduled service with only one route from Ontario to Nashville. Other routes such as Ontario to Las Vegas were suspended earlier this year.

New Agreement

Last week, Elevate Aviation Group and New Pacific Airlines signed an agreement to bring the carrier more opportunities in the private aviation space. The airline’s new agreement with Elevate Aviation Group is planned to allow the carrier to operate more charter flights.

The company specializes in chartering artists, sports teams, public figures, and more. “At New Pacific Airlines, we are dedicated to redefining the standards of aviation services. Our partnership with Elevate Aviation Group is a testament to our commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences. Together, we will set new benchmarks for excellence in the private aviation sector,” New Pacific chief Rob McKinney said in a press release.

Future Plans

While the carrier has no firm plans to continue scheduled flights, a spokesperson said it is not off the table. Plans to operate scheduled flights may return in the future, they shared.

Jeremy Kang

Jeremy is an aspiring pilot currently undergoing training, backed by nearly five years of proficient writing experience. Having lived in three countries and attending an aeronautical university, Jeremy boasts extensive exposure to the field of aviation. His journalistic proficiency and fascination for flying equips him to make meaningful contributions to the aviation community.

Boeing’s Top Brass Ousted in Management Shake-Up

Multiple Boeing leaders are out of a job, including CEO Dave Calhoun and Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal, following sweeping top-level changes.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, March 25, 2024 at 09:16 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Boeing 777X testplane taxis out for its first flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Multiple Boeing leaders are out of a job, including CEO Dave Calhoun and Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal. The company announced sweeping leadership changes early Monday morning.

Dave Calhoun, who was appointed as President and CEO of Boeing in 2020, was originally hired to fix Boeing’s ongoing manufacturing woes. His appointment followed back-to-back fatal accidents involving the 737 MAX. Before taking the helm at Boeing, Calhoun had been on the company’s board of directors since 2009.

According to Boeing, Calhoun will step down by the end of 2024 to “complete the critical work underway to stabilize and position the company for the future.” No replacement was named for his position.

“As we begin this period of transition, I want to assure you, we will remain squarely focused on completing the work we have done together to return our company to stability after the extraordinary challenges of the past five years, with safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do,” Calhoun said in a letter to employees.

Joining Calhoun, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stan Deal also plans to leave the company. Holding the position since October 2019, Deal’s departure becomes effective immediately on Monday.

Replacing Deal will be Boeing’s Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope, who was appointed to the role from leading Boeing Global Services in January 2024.

Board Changes

Boeing’s announcement also includes changes on the board of directors level. Long-time board appointee Larry Kellner will not stand for re-election as chair.

Kellner has been on Boeing’s board for 13 years. IN 2019, he was appointed as independent chair. Steve Mollenkopf will fill Kellner’s position having been appointed to the company’s board in 2020.

Ryan Ewing

Do Low-Cost Carriers Fly Slower?

Despite flying the same aircraft model, the Airbus A321, Etihad Airways flies the same route nearly 20% quicker than Wizz Air.

Filip Kopeć

Monday, March 25, 2024 at 05:54 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Wizz Air will operate its A320 family aircraft on new Abu Dhabi flights. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Aron Mester)

Travelers looking to fly to the Maldives through one of the Middle Eastern gateways might notice one strange disadvantage to flying to their destination with Wizz Air. The carrier seems to be taking longer than its competitors to fly the route.

Not All Aircraft Are Made The Same

While Wizz Air flies only their Airbus A321neo aircraft on the route, Etihad Airways is flying a mix of Boeing 787s and its A321ceos. At first glance, the aircraft advantage might be on the Wizz Air side. The A321neo version of the type is newer, thus usually the aircraft operated by Wizz Air will be a few years younger than its counterpart.

The reality is, the flight time of Wizz Air is listed as 5:20, while Etihad flying the same route has it at 4:20 or 4:25 depending on the aircraft. The difference is significant, and the actual flight times prove its existence.

Abu Dhabi to Malé flight schedule (Photo: Google Flights)

The Flightpath Solves The Mystery

The source of the difference becomes apparent when looking at the flight path of the aircraft. While Etihad, or even low-cost Flydubai for that matter, fly an almost direct route over the Arabian Sea, Wizz Air makes quite a detour along the coast of the Indian subcontinent.

Visiting India is definitely not part of the ticket sold by Wizz Air. A longer flight also means more fuel, crew, and other costs for the carrier.

The reason is quite technical. The International Civil Aviation Organization requires a very specific certification to allow for flights over large bodies of water or other remote areas. Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards, ETOPS in short, is the technical term used for flights where the flight paths take the aircraft more than 60 minutes away from a suitable diversion airport, and it has been developed to ensure that if a twin-engine aircraft encounters any trouble on the way it can safely make it to a diversion airport with only one engine running.

The Wizz Air AUH-MLE flight path (Photo: flightradar24.com)

A Plane Is Not Enough

The ETOPS certification is not purely granted based on the aircraft type and configuration. This is only a prerequisite. The next step is certifying the airline to actually perform the ETOPS flights. The operator has to prove to its home country’s aviation regulatory body that it is capable of ETOPS flights as an organization. This includes compliance with additional special engineering and flight crew procedures in addition to the normal ones.

Although the carrier does not explicitly mention the reason for the lack of ETOPS certification, it is speculated that this is merely a cost-saving measure. The lack of the certificate has no impact on the safety of passengers when flying the route.

Filip Kopeć

A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.

Delta A350 Spotted in Toulouse With Special Livery

A Delta Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft caught the attention of planespotters in Toulouse, France this weekend sporting a special livery.

Ryan Ewing

Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 09:03 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta A350-900XWB in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

A Delta Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft caught the attention of plane spotters in Toulouse, France this weekend. The aircraft – registered as N522DZ – sported a special livery featuring elements associated with the 2028 Olympic Games.

The special livery would be the first on Delta’s A350 fleet. While the aircraft has not yet been delivered, it features ‘LA28’ designs along the fuselage. The 2028 Olympics are set to take place in Los Angeles which is a Delta hub.

Delta has not yet publicized the special livery. In 2021, the airline unveiled a special Olympics-themed livery in sponsorship of Team USA on an Airbus A330-900neo.

The carrier is a major sponsor of the Olympics, having partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for several years. Previously, Delta has supported the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

The aircraft is awaiting engines at Airbus’ Toulouse manufacturing facility.

Ryan Ewing

DOT Reviewing Passenger Data Practices

The Department of Transportation will review how the 10 largest U.S. carriers handle personal passenger info in an effort to increase data protection.

Tarik Dixon

Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 08:43 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Terminal D at DFW Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has embarked on a review of data collection and protection policies of the 10 largest carriers in the U.S. The aim of the review is to better understand how airlines are handling personal passenger data, according to the agency.

This announcement follows the Biden’s Administration efforts to protect the personal data of all Americans. Therefore, the DOT wants to ensure that personal passenger data is properly protected and not being unethically sold to third parties.

From these findings, the DOT says it will be able to implement best practices and more effective regulations for data protection.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Airline passengers should have confidence that their personal information is not being shared improperly with third parties or mishandled by employees.”

Secretary Buttigieg further expressed that “This review of airline practices is the beginning of a new initiative by DOT to ensure airlines are being good stewards of sensitive passenger data.”

What Will the DOT Gather?

The DOT says it will gather intel based on three categories:

Policies and procedures relating to the collection, maintenance, handling, and use of airlines’ personal information, including policies and procedures relating to monetization of passenger data, targeted advertising, and prevention of data breaches.
Complaints alleging that airline employees or contractors mishandled personal information or otherwise alleging that an airline violated an individual’s privacy.
Information regarding privacy training, including materials used for training, types of personnel that receive the training, and the frequency of the training.

The transport agency has also requested responses from the 10 largest carriers in the nation. These airlines include:

Allegiant
Alaska
American
Delta
Frontier
Hawaiian
JetBlue
Southwest
Spirit
United

Furthermore, the department in a statement said, “As DOT finds evidence of problematic practices, the Department will take action, which could mean investigations, enforcement actions, guidance, or rulemaking.”

When a passenger books a flight on these airlines, they share information such as names, home addresses, and birthdates. During in-flight services, the carrier collects data on seating preferences, meal preferences, and inflight entertainment choices. This information can potentially be shared with third parties to enhance their market reach.

Tarik Dixon

Based in Kingston, Jamaica, Tarik grew up being fascinated with the daily operations of airports and airlines. Overtime his interest turned into the economics surrounding the aviation industry and how the industry facilitates growth in local sectors and promotes connectivity with regional neighbors.

Allegiant Secures New Tentative Agreement For Flight Attendants

Allegiant and the Transport Workers Union local 577 have reached a consensus on a new tentative agreement for the carrier's flight attendants.

Benjamin Pham

Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 08:31 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant A319 in Pittsburgh. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Allegiant recently reached a new tentative agreement (TA) with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) chapter 577 which represents the flight attendants who work for the Las Vegas-based ultra-low-cost carrier. This new agreement is for the successor of the respective parties’ first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that was amendable on Dec. 31, 2022.

“We are encouraged the negotiating teams for both Allegiant and the TWU have come to a tentative agreement,” Allegiant President Gregory C. Anderson said in a press release. “Our cabin crew take care of our customers as our ambassadors in the sky. This contract is structured to meaningfully improve their experience and better recognize their vital role as part of Team Allegiant. We look forward to the next step in the process.”

The TWU local 577 represents over 1,800 flight attendants at the carrier across more than 24 bases in the route network. The new TA includes 25% pay increases and other quality of life improvements. Now, the union’s full membership will need to decide and vote in order for it to be ratified.

Benjamin Pham

Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.